Self-sealing closure for collapsible tubes



April 1935- T. KURLINSKI 1,998,934

SELF SEALING CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed March 26, 1932 INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 23, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELF- SEALING CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 1 Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in tube caps adapted particularly for use on tubes containing tooth paste, shaving cream, and various other pastes, and is more specifically directed to a self-sealing cap through which the paste can be forced under pressure, and which is automatically sealed when pressure on the tube is removed.

One of the prime objects of the invention is to design a self-sealing cap which is of simple and practical construction, and'which requires no turning or other manipulation of the cap preparatory to forcing paste from it.

It is another object of the invention to provide a cap structure for tooth paste tubes and the like, which is fixed on the container, eliminating the possibility of losing the cap and the drying and wasting of the paste contained in the tube, as this design requires no removal of the cap to permit the paste being squeezed therefrom.

A further object is to design a cap structure which is composed of a minimum number of parts, all of which are practical and economical to manufacture, and which readily lends itself to mass production.

The above and other objects will appear as the specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, and

in which like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views thereof.

In the drawing- Fig. l is a fragmentary side view of a tooth,

paste tube and cap structure constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary part sectional view through the discharge end with the parts in position to permit the discharge of the paste.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the cap and tube.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the neck of the tube.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 6 is a part sectional view of the outer cap.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view.

Fig. 8 is a view of the retaining spring.

I am aware that various types of collapsible tube closures have already been invented, but these all contain numerous disadvantages, both from the standpoint of manufacture and operation, and I have, therefore, perfected a cap structure of the self-sealing type, which eliminates all of the disadvantages present in designs above referred to, and which is practical to manufacture 5 and simple and positive in operation.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, in which is shown the usual form of cylindrical paste container 5, this is provided with a neck 6 as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4, said neck being of relatively heavier construction, and a shoulder 5 I is provided intermediate the length thereof.

The upper end of the neck is closed, and a shoulder 9 is provided ata point spaced from said upper end, the reduced portion being inclined as at 10 and for a purpose to be presently described. A plurality of ports or openings II are provided in the shoulder 9 in spaced apart relation, so that the paste B may be forced therethrough.

An outer shell or cap I2 is fitted over the neck 15 6, and a centrally disposed opening [3 is provided in the upper end thereof, the marginal wallof the opening being inclined to conform to the inclined wall ID of the neck, so that a close fit is secured. Laterally projecting ears l4 are cast 2 integral with the cap l2, and each ear is formed with an offset leg I5 as shown, an opening l6 being provided in each ear and is adapted to accommodate one end of a curved spring member l1; the spring is thence bent downwardly between the 25 leg I5 and the side wall of the cap, thence the spring is bent at right angles, the extreme end being turned up as shown at l8, and when the cap is placed in position, the end 18 of the spring engages the shoulder I of the tube neck, and when 30 a collapsing pressure is provided on the tube, the paste will be forced through the ports I l, flexing the springs l1 and forcing the cap upwardly so that the paste is forced out around the end 8, and as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing; when 35 the pressure is removed, the springs I! again draw the outer cap [2 down to original position, tightly sealing the end of the tube so that the paste will not dry or cake. There is no wastage,

and the entire content of the tube can be ejected 40 when and as required.

The structure is simple and practical to manufacture, compares favorably with the cost of tubes at present on the market, and provides many advantages not present in the present day 45 containers of similar construction.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have perfected a very simple, economical, andconvenient cap structure and container for pastes of all kinds. 50

What I claim is:

A closure of the class described, comprising in combination with a collapsible tube, a closed neck having a shouldered and reduced upper end, a shoulder spaced from the upper end, a plurality of spaced apart substantially vertically disposed ports in said shouldered section, a cap slidably mounted on said neck and formed with a centrally disposed opening having tapered side walls adapted to fit over the end of said neck and form a tight fitting joint therewith, ears cast integral with the cap and having openings therein, oilset legs projecting from said ears, and individual spring members formed with a. hook shaped end mounted in said openings and confined between said leg and the wall of the cap, the opposite end of the spring detachably engaging the shoulder on the neck o1 said tube so that the cap may rise to permit the discharge of paste when the tube is subjected to pressure.

'IHADDEUS KURLINSKI. 

